Construction Accidents and Injuries: Frequently Asked Questions

As a construction worker, you understand the inherent risk of your profession. Around 10 percent of construction workers are injured each year. If you've recently been injured on the job, you might be wondering about what to do next or if you can file a lawsuit against the contractor or another entity.

Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions you might have about construction accidents and injuries.

What Are the Most Common Types of Construction Injuries?

Unfortunately, construction workers are very prone to accidents. The nature of their jobs leaves them vulnerable to several types of injuries. Here are a few of the most common types of construction injuries:

• Repetitive motion . These injuries, such as carpal tunnel, occur when you perform the same task over and over.
  
• Improper gear . Every job site has its own unique dangers, and the failure to provide workers with the proper gear can lead to injury.
  
• Electrical injuries . From wiring and power tools to heavy machinery, there are several potential electrical injuries, such as electric shocks, that can occur.
  

The most potentially devastating and life-altering injury that occurs on construction sites is falls. Construction workers will often work on rafters, scaffolding, and ladders, which leaves them vulnerable to falling.

What Should I Do After the Injury Occurs?

After the injury occurs, it is critical to act fast. First, you should seek medical attention, no matter the extent of your injuries. Even if your injuries are minor, you must see a doctor to ensure any cut, bruise, laceration, or other wound is documented. After you've spoken to a physician, report the injury to your superior.

In most cases, you will be asked to fill out an incident report. Be very specific about the accident, including where and when it occurred and the injuries you sustained. Do not admit fault or apologize to your superior. These admissions of guilt can be used against you, if you decide to file a lawsuit.

Document the scene of the accident, and your injuries. Snap pictures of where the incident occurred. Also, take several photos of your injuries. Continue to document your injuries over the next weeks and months. Speak with coworkers who witnesses the accident and ask them to provide a statement. In addition to their statement, ask for their full name and telephone number.

Can I File a Lawsuit Against My Employer?

In addition to receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you might have grounds to file a lawsuit against your employer. To file a lawsuit, your attorney must prove that someone on the jobsite was negligent and that this negligence caused your injury. For example, if the architect of a building you were working on did not perform their duties to the best of their abilities, such as creating a safe plan for construction the building, you might have the grounds to file a lawsuit.

If another person was negligent, such as a heavy machine operator who was driving under the influence or another coworker who was reckless on the jobsite, you might also have grounds to file a suit against an individual person, a subcontractor, a contractor, or the client.

Additionally, if you were injured because of faulty machinery, you might have the grounds to file a product liability suit against the manufacturer. Once again, your attorney will have to prove there was a flaw in the design or manufacturing of the machinery or tool, and this flaw directly led to your injuries.

Suffering an injury on the jobsite can be stressful and life-altering. If you have any further questions, contact the professionals at Wegner & Associates .